Image processing apparatus, information transmission method and image processing system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus that reduces the troubles of key operations, while ensuring the security, when access is made to a web server. The image processing apparatus comprises: (a) an identification unit operable to identify a login name of a user of the image processing apparatus; (b) a web server management table in which, with respect to each login name, location information indicating a location of a web server is associated with transmission information to be transmitted to the web server; and (c) a transmission unit operable to transmit the transmission information to the web server, the location of which is indicated by the location information pertaining to the identified login name in reference to the web server management table.

This application is based application No. 2006-260832 filed in Japan,the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[1] Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having aweb browser.

[2] Related Art

Late years, image processing apparatuses (also called image formingapparatuses, multi-function devices or MFPs (multi-functionperipherals)) having various functions—such as printing, copying, faxingand scanning—are widely in use. Furthermore, some of such apparatuseshave a function to access a web server and are capable of printing anaccessed web page.

Thus, when an image processing apparatus having varied functions alsohas a web access function, accesses to various web servers can berealized, not via a PC (Personal Computer), but directly from the imageprocessing apparatus, and then a variety of input and output operationscan be carried out.

In the meanwhile, it is sometimes the case that entry of information ofan individual user is required prior to an access to a web server.

For example, some web servers have settings that ask the user to enteran ID and/or a password for user authentication when an access isreceived. Particularly, quite a lot of web servers accessed in thecourse of one's work require user authentication at the time of accesswith the aim for security maintenance and management, and the user isasked to enter an ID and/or a password for each access. Additionally,entry of information of an individual user—such as e-mail address,facsimile number, transmission destination of documents and the like,and name of a division in a company—is often required for the user inorder to perform an operation after sign-in, or even in order to accessa web server requiring no sign-in.

Usually on image processing apparatuses, only number keys and somefunction keys are provided as hardware keys for entry operations. Mostentry operations are made by the user touching virtual entry keysdisplayed on the touch panel display. However, it is quite difficult forusers unfamiliar with such tasks to enter long character strings in thisway.

In order to solve this problem, it is assumed that registeringinformation in advance with the use of one-touch keys or similarfunctions facilitates the entry operations.

On the other hand, due to high installation costs and large spacerequirements as compared to PCs or the like, such image processingapparatuses are often shared by many users—for example, one imageprocessing apparatus for all workers in an office. Therefore,registering information in advance in the above-mentioned manner is notdesirable in terms of security since personal information of individualusers may be disclosed to other users, and/or the registered informationmay be used to access web servers without permission.

Even if there is no need to consider security, entry of information tobe transmitted into an image processing apparatus is not easy for theabove-mentioned reasons. In addition, even if information to betransmitted has been registered in advance, the quantity of registeredinformation becomes enormous when one image processing apparatus isshared by a number of users, which presumably makes it difficult foreach user to find information he/she needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, andaims at offering an image processing apparatus that allows informationof an individual user to be readily transmitted to a web server prior toan access being made to the web server from the image processingapparatus to carry out a range of operation, while maintaining security.

The present invention also aims at offering an image processingapparatus that does not require entry of information to be transmittedeach time prior to an access being made to a web server from the imageprocessing apparatus to carry out a range of operation, and thatrelieves an individual user the trouble of finding necessary informationfrom great amounts of registered information, whereby allowing easytransmission of information of the user to the web server.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the presentinvention contemplates an image processing apparatus connectable to anetwork, comprising: an identification unit operable to identify a loginname of a user of the image processing apparatus; a web servermanagement table in which, with respect to each login name, locationinformation indicating a location of a web server is associated withtransmission information to be transmitted to the web server; and atransmission unit operable to transmit the transmission information tothe web server, the location of which is indicated by the locationinformation pertaining to the identified login name in the web servermanagement table.

This structure enables the user to transmit his/her information to a webserver when the user accesses the web server using the image processingapparatus, requiring no re-entry of such information. Furthermore, thestructure prevents problems that personal information of individualusers is disclosed to other users and/or used to access web serverswithout permission. In addition, since the structure relieves the userthe troubles of re-entering one's information and finding informationthat the user wants to use from great amounts of information, the useris able to readily cause the image processing apparatus to transmit suchinformation to a web server.

Another aspect of the present invention contemplates an informationtransmission method for transmitting information from an imageprocessing apparatus to a web server. The information transmissionmethod comprises the steps of: identifying a login name of a user of theimage processing apparatus; referring to a web server management tablein which, with respect to each login name, location informationindicating a location of a web server is associated with transmissioninformation to be transmitted to the web server; and transmitting thetransmission information to the web server, the location of which isindicated by the location information pertaining to the identified loginname in the web server management table.

According to the structure, the same effects described above can berealized.

Another aspect of the present invention contemplates an image processingsystem in which a client terminal having a 1^(st) web browser isconnected to an image processing apparatus via a network. Here, theimage processing apparatus includes: a web server unit operable toidentify a login name of the client terminal which has requested toaccess the image processing apparatus in response to a remote access viathe 1^(st) web browser, receive a registration content in which alocation information indicating a location of a web server is associatedwith web sign-in information to be transmitted at a time when sign-in tothe web server is performed, and manage a web server management table inwhich the received registration content is associated with theidentified login name; an identification unit operable to identify alogin name of a user locally using the image processing apparatus; anoperation panel having a display screen and an entry key; a 2^(nd) webbrowser operable to perform browsing in response to operation on theentry key; and a transmission unit operable to transmit the associatedweb sign-in information to the web server indicated by the locationinformation pertaining to the login name identified by the web serverunit in the web server management table.

Another aspect of the present invention contemplates an image processingapparatus comprising: an operation panel having a display screen and oneor more entry keys; an identification unit operable to identify a loginname of a user of the image processing apparatus; a user managementtable in which, with respect to each login name, an item is associatedwith a value; and a key assigning unit operable to assign items andvalues assigned to the items for the identified login name to the entrykeys which function as entry-free keys.

According to this structure, values of respective items can be enteredby simply pushing the entry-free keys. For example, the name, addressand telephone number of the user, which are items expected to befrequently entered, can be assigned as the values of the items, and thusthe trouble with key operations can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantageous effects and features of theinvention will become apparent from the following description thereoftaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustratespecific embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a structure of an image processing system 1 according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a structure of an MFP 10;

FIG. 3 shows a login name management table 32;

FIG. 4A shows part of a web sign-in management table 34 related to anindividual user; and FIG. 4B shows part of a web sign-in managementtable 34 related to a division user;

FIG. 5 shows a user management table 36, in particular part of whichrelates to “User H”;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a web sign-in process executed by acontroller 12 of the MFP 10;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a web sign-in process executed by thecontroller 12 of the MFP 10;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a web sign-in process executed by thecontroller 12 of the MFP 10;

FIG. 9 shows a display screen for web sign-in status of Step S35;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of an entry process in whichentry-free keys are assigned and used by the controller 12 of the MFP10;

FIG. 11 shows a touch panel 50 and entry-free keys 41-45 of Step S44;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a web sign-in process performed by thecontroller 12 of the MFP 10;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for an example showing an information viewingprocess and a registration process performed by the controller 12 of theMFP 10;

FIG. 14 shows the touch panel 50 of Step S62;

FIG. 15 shows the touch panel 50 included in an operation panel 22 ofthe MFP 10;

FIG. 16 shows the touch panel 50 of Step S65;

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram in which display and editing ofregistration contents are performed from a PC 100 that is connected tothe MFP 10;

FIG. 18 is a diagram corresponding to Step S62, and shows a web browserwindow 110 that displays registration information of a division account;

FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to Step S67, and shows the webbrowser window 110 that displays registration information of anindividual account;

FIG. 20 is a diagram corresponding to Step S67, and shows the webbrowser window 110 that displays registration information of thedivision account;

FIG. 21 is a diagram corresponding to Step S65, and shows the webbrowser window 110 that displays registration information of theindividual account; and

FIG. 22 is a diagram corresponding to Step S65, and shows the webbrowser window 110 that displays registration information of thedivision account.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment is described below with reference to drawings.

<Structure>

An image processing system 1 includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)10 and a PC (Personal Computer) 100 within a LAN (Local Area Network),and a web server 2, as shown in FIG. 1.

The web server 2 is a server that, for example, receives order placementfor parts and items, and requires a sign-in on a web sign-in isnecessary for the use.

The MFP 10 includes, as shown in FIG. 2: a controller 12; a scanner 14;a fax 16; a printer 18; a mailer 20; an operation panel 22; a networkI/F 24; a web browser 26; a web server unit 28; and a storage 30.

The controller 12 is composed of hardware elements such as a CPU, a RAM,a ROM and the like, and performs overall control on each component ofthe MFP 10.

The scanner 14 creates image data by reading an original.

The fax 16 realizes a facsimile function.

The printer 18 prints image data on paper.

The mailer 20 creates, transmits and receives e-mails.

The operation panel 22 is a user interface that presents a display tothe user and receives entry operations, and includes hardwarecomponents, such as push-button keys (hard keys) and a touch panelhaving a display.

The network I/F 24 is a functional block for realizing network access(communication).

The web browser 26 (1) transmits an HTTP request to a specified URL(Uniform Resource Locator) to thereby obtain (download) and analyze aweb page source, and (2) causes the touch panel of the operation panel22 to display it as a web page in an easy-to-read format for users.

The web server unit 28 is a functional block for realizing a web serverfunction. In response to a client's request, the web server unit 28provides a web page source (information which forms a basis of a webpage) in the HTML format (the XML format may be used instead) includingURL information to a terminal—e.g. a PC—of the client who made therequest.

The storage 30 is formed with hardware components, such as a HDD (harddisk drive), and stores various data, including image data, used in theMFP 10. The storage 30 includes a login name management table 32, a websign-in management table 34, a user management table 36, and a divisionmanagement table 38.

The division management table 38 includes division names, login names ofindividual users in each division, and their authority levels (havingmanagerial authority or not).

As shown in FIG. 3, the login name management table 32 is a table formanaging login accounts required to start using the MFP 10, and includespaired “login names” (login IDs) and “passwords”.

There are two types of login accounts: “individual user” accountsdesigned for logging in as individual users; and “division user”accounts designed for logging in as members of divisions.

The “division user” account is a group account that includes one or moreindividual user's login names. A “division” includes a member havingmanagerial authority (administrator) and a member having no managerialauthority (general user).

For example, “Division 1” includes two login names of “User H” and “UserI”. Here, “User H” is a general user while “User I” is an administrator.

FIG. 4A shows web sign-in information of “User H”. One set ofinformation includes three items: “Web Server URL”; “Account Name”; and“Password”. “Account Name” and “Password” are used to sign in to thecorresponding “Web Server URL”.

Note that “Web Server URL” is usually a URL that displays a sign-inscreen. Alternatively, it may be an abstraction of the URL characterstring formed by using a regular expression or the like.

Such web sign-in information is managed for each individual user.

FIG. 4B shows web sign-in information of “Division 1”. For divisionusers, similarly to individual users, their web sign-in information ismanaged with respect to each division user.

As shown in FIG. 5, the item names of “User H” relate to personalinformation of User H, and include “Name”, “Family Name”, “Given Name”,“Division”, “E-mail”, “Telephone Number”, and “Address”. Each item nameis associated with a value.

For example, the item name “Telephone Number” is associated with“06-1234-567”.

“General User” in the item name “Division” indicates that User H doesnot have managerial authority. When a user has managerial authority, thevalue becomes “administrator”.

The following describes a web sign-in process performed by thecontroller 12 of the MFP 10.

For the web sign-in process, three modes can be considered. Each ofthese modes is explained below.

(1) Web Sign-In Process 1

As shown in FIG. 6, when the user logs in to the MFP 10 (S11: Yes), thecontroller 12 determines, based on the login name, web sign-ininformation to be transmitted (S12).

When the user gives an instruction in a web browser to access a webserver that requires a web sign-in (S13: Yes), the controller 12transmits corresponding paired account name and password to the webserver and tries a web sign-in (S14).

When the user logs out (S15: Yes), the controller 12 ends the process.

According to the process, it is possible to realize a web sign-inrequiring no manual entry when an access is made to a web server whichhas already been registered as web sign-in information.

(2) Web Sign-In Process 2

As shown in FIG. 7, if a web browser is started up (S22: Yes), thecontroller 12 determines, based on the login name, web sign-ininformation to be transmitted (S23). Then, the controller 12 transmitscorresponding paired account name and password to the web server andtries a web sign-in (S24).

When the user logs out (S25: Yes), the controller 12 ends the process.

According to the process, a web sign-in is tried in response to thestartup of a web browser, thereby allowing for realizing a web sign-inat an earlier stage as compared to the example of FIG. 6. Therefore, inthe future when the user tries, using the web browser to access a webserver to which the user has previously signed in, a quick response canbe expected.

(3) Web Sign-In Process 3

As shown in FIG. 8, in response to the user's login to the MFP (S31),the controller 12 determines web sign-in information (S32) and promptlytransmits corresponding information to web servers (S33).

According to this process, it is possible to realize a web sign-in at afurther earlier stage.

When receiving a request for displaying web sign-in status (S34: YES),the controller 12 displays web sign-in status (S35).

The operation panel 22 has a hard key group 40 and a touch panel 50, asshown in FIG. 9.

The hard key group 40 includes numeric keys, keys for functions such asscanning and copying, and entry-free keys of “key 1” 41 to “key 5” 45.

A table of sign-in status is displayed on the touch panel 50, andincludes items of “Web Server URL”, “Account Name”, and “Sign-InStatus”.

There are three statuses for the “Sign-In Status”: trying to sign in;signing in; and signing out.

Thus, displaying sign-in statuses allows the user to comprehend thesign-in statuses.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the user logs out from theMFP 10 (S36), the controller 12 tries to sign out from all web serverson which web sign-in was tried (S37).

According to the process, in response to the user's logout(alternatively, it may be an end of web browser activation), it ispossible to sign out from a web server, the use of which is not expectedfor a while, whereby strengthening security.

The next describes assignments to entry-free keys and an input processusing these assignments. As shown in FIG. 10, when the user logs in tothe MFP 10 (Y41: Yes), the controller 12 determines user informationbased on the login name (S42).

When an access is made to a web page requiring entry of a user's nameand the like after a web browser is started in response to a user'sinstruction, entry fields (entry boxes) are displayed on the web browserscreen.

When detecting a cursor movement to an entry field on the web browser(S43), the controller 12 assigns, to the entry-free keys “key 1” 41 to“key 5” 45, item values having been registered in a user managementtable that corresponds to the currently logged-in user, and item names54 (or item values, instead) assigned to the entry-free keys aredisplayed within the touch panel (S44).

As shown in FIG. 11, the item values of family name, given name, fullname, E-mail, and division are sequentially assigned to the entry-freekeys 41-45, and the item names corresponding to respective entry-freekeys are displayed on the right hand in the touch panel 50.

FIG. 11 shows a display on the touch panel appearing when the entry-freekey 41 has just been pushed. In an entry box 55 on the web browserscreen, “Hashimoto” corresponding to the item value has been entered,and a cursor 57 has been shifted to the back of “Hashimoto”.

Using such entry-free keys allows contents that have been registered asuser information to be entered with one touch of a key.

Note that items more likely to be used can be preferentially assigned tothe entry-free keys, whereby eliminating the need of the user to selectan entry-free key. For example, properties of entry boxes may bedetermined (a web page source corresponding to an entry box 56 for namemay include a tag like “given name”), and then related items can bepreferentially assigned to the entry-free keys.

The following shows two examples of different processes performed inaccordance with different accounts used to log in to the MFP 10 (i.e.individual user or division user).

(1) Division/Individual-Based Web Sign-In Process

As shown in FIG. 12, when the user logs in to the MFP 10 (S50: Yes), thecontroller 12 determines, based on the login name, web sign-ininformation to be transmitted (S51).

When the login account is (A) an individual user, the controller 12tries to sign in using web sign-in information corresponding to thelogin name of the user. When the login account is (B) a division user,the controller 12 tries to sign in using web sign-in informationcorresponding to the login name of the division (S52).

When the login account is an individual user (S53: “Individual User”)and is an administrator of a division to which the individual userbelongs (S54: Yes), the controller 12 additionally tries to sign inusing web sign-in information corresponding to the login name of thedivision.

According to this process, when the user who is a division'sadministrator logs in to the MFP 10 as an individual user, he/she isable to use not only the web sign-in information related to the loginname used for the login, but also web sign-in information related to thelogin name of the division in which the user is an administrator.

(2) Division/Individual-Based Information Viewing and RegisteringProcesses

As shown in FIG. 13, when the login account used to log in to the MFP 10is a division account (division user) (S61: Yes), the controller 12allows only for viewing of registration information on the screen (i.e.displaying only a view key) and does not display an edit key used forediting registration information (S62). If a request for viewingregistration information is made, the controller 12 displaysregistration information of the division account (S63).

Here, the registration information means information indicatingregistration contents related to the login name, such as web sign-ininformation 34.

As shown in FIG. 14B, two keys 62 and 63 each showing a web server URL(Uniform Resource Locator) are displayed on the touch panel 50 asregistration information. Here, the key 62 is highlighted, indicatingthat it is in a selected state. When a view key 64 is pushed, the screenchanges to a screen displaying registration information of a web servercorresponding to a selected key (not shown).

On the touch panel 50, only the view key 64 is displayed and an edit keyfor registration information is hidden.

This is because a division user's account is likely to be shared by manyusers, such as members in a company's department or members of someproject. Therefore, it is not desirable to readily allow for editingregistration information when a login is made with a division account.

Returning to FIG. 13, when the login account used to log in to the MFP10 is not a division account but an individual account (S61: No) and theuser is not a division's administrator (S64: No), an edit key, anew-registration key and the like are also displayed on the screentogether with the view key for registration information of theindividual account (S67). Then, via these displayed keys, the controller12 receives a request for viewing registration information, editing, ormaking new registration (S68).

As shown in FIG. 15A, web sign-in registration keys 60 and 61 aredisplayed on the touch panel 50.

If the key 60 is pushed and thus selected, the screen changes to a menufor selecting registration information related to the individual account[FIG. 15B].

In FIG. 15B, keys each showing a web server's URL 69 and 70, the viewkey 64, a new-registration key 65, an edit key 66, and a delete key 67are displayed.

If the key 61 is pushed and thus selected, the screen changes to a menuthat allows for selecting registration information pertaining to thedivision account [FIG. 15C]. In the selection menu of FIG. 15C, only theview key 64 is displayed while keys for editing the registrationinformation are hidden.

Returning to FIG. 13, when the login account used to log in to the MFP10 is not a division account but an individual account (S61: No) and theuser is a division's administrator (S64: Yes), registration informationof the individual account as well as an edit key, a new-registration keyand the like for registration information of the division account aredisplayed on the screen (S65). Then, via these displayed keys, thecontroller 12 receives a request for viewing registration information,editing, or making new registration (S66).

FIG. 16C, unlike FIG. 15C, shows that the new-registration key 65, editkey 66 and delete key 67 are also displayed together with the view key64.

In the examples of FIGS. 14-16, display and editing are realized usingthe touch panel 50 of the MFP 10; however, such display and editing ofregistered contents can be made using the PC 100 connected to the MFP10. Specifically speaking, as shown in FIG. 17, an access is made to aweb server shown by the web server unit 28 of the MFP 10 using a webbrowser of the PC 100.

Settings of web sign-in information used in the web browser 26 of theMFP 10 are also made via the web browser of the PC 100, which isremotely located from the MFP 10. The web sign-in information whosesettings have been made can be used after the web browser 26 of the MFP10 completes log-in from an authentication screen of the operation panel22 (i.e. a local login to the MFP 10 with no use of a network).

The next describes the web browser window 110 of the PC 100 in the caseof logging in with a division account (Step S62). As shown in FIG. 18,the URL of the web server unit 28 of the MFP 10,“http://10.128.XX.10/program.xml” is displayed in an address bar 112.

In a window 110, URLs, as registration names of web sign-inregistration, and radio buttons 113 and 114 corresponding to the URLsare displayed. A view button 116 is pushed with at least one radiobutton 113 or 114 being selected, web sign-in information correspondingto the registration name is displayed. Here, editing of the web sign-ininformation is not allowed.

Note that a clear button 117 is a button for canceling the selection ofthe radio buttons 113 and 114.

The next describes the web browser window 110 of the PC 100 in the casewhere the login account is an individual account and the user is not adivision's administrator (Step S67). As shown in FIG. 19, two selectionitems of web sign-in registration (individual) 130 and web sign-inregistration (division) 132 are displayed in the left frame. In FIG. 19,a web sign-in registration (individual) 130 is selected.

In this case, the following buttons are also displayed: radio buttonsfor selecting registration names 119 and 120, a new-registration button126, an existing-registration editing button 122, a clear button 117,and a deletion button 124.

When a selection item of the web sign-in registration (division) 132 isselected, the state shown in FIG. 20 is obtained.

In this case, only the radio buttons 113 and 114, view button 116, andclear button 117 are displayed, and a new-registration button 126, anexisting-registration editing button 122, and a deletion button 124 arenot displayed.

The next describes the web browser window 110 of the PC 100 in the casewhere the login account is an individual account and the user is adivision's administrator (Step S65). As shown in FIG. 21, two selectionitems of the web sign-in registration (individual) 130 in a selectedstate and the web sign-in registration (division) 132 are displayed.

The following buttons are also displayed: the radio buttons 119 and 120for selecting a registration name; new-registration button 126;existing-registration editing button 122; clear button 117; and deletionbutton 124.

When a selection item of the web sign-in registration (division) 132 isselected, the state shown in FIG. 22 is obtained.

In this case, the following buttons are also displayed: the radiobuttons 113 and 114 for selecting a registration name; new-registrationbutton 126; existing-registration editing button 122; clear button 117;and deletion button 124.

[Other Particulars]

(1) The present embodiment shows an example in which the use isauthenticated when a login to the MFP 10 is made; however, instead ofconducting such authentication (i.e. instead of judging the authenticityof the user), it is equally sufficient at least if a unique user name isidentified or detected.

(2) Although details are not given in the present embodiment, thefollowing usage application can be considered: accounts are issued notfor respective individual users but for respective division users in theweb server, which receives various order placements, and the users sharethe issued division user account. The structure described in theembodiment is also useful in such a usage application.

(3) The functions of the image processing apparatus of the presentembodiment can be adapted as an information transmission method (websign-in method) for transmitting information to a web server, andfurthermore adapted as a program product that realizes the method on acomputer. Such a program product may be recorded as a program on variouscomputer-readable recording media, for example: magnetic disks such asmagnetic tapes and flexible disks; optical disks such as DVDs, CD-ROMs,CD-Rs, MOs and PDs; and flash memory-type recording media such as SmartMedia™. Thus, the program product may be produced and transferred in theform of recording media, or may be the program to be transmitted andsupplied via networks, as represented by telecommunications,wire/wireless communications, the Internet, or via broadcasting andsatellite communications.

In addition, the above program does not have to include all modules thatare required to cause a computer to execute the above-mentionedprocesses. For example, it is possible to cause a computer to executeeach process described in the present embodiment by using versatileprograms—e.g. communications programs and programs included in anoperating system (OS)—installable on a different information processingapparatus. Accordingly, the above-mentioned recording media do notnecessarily record thereon all the modules described above, and all themodules do not always have to be transmitted. Furthermore, predeterminedprocesses may be executed using special hardware.

[Summary of Embodiment]

(1) One aspect of the present embodiment contemplates an imageprocessing apparatus connectable to a network, comprising: anidentification unit operable to identify a login name of a user of theimage processing apparatus; a web server management table in which, withrespect to each login name, location information indicating a locationof a web server is associated with transmission information to betransmitted to the web server; and a transmission unit operable totransmit the transmission information to the web server, the location ofwhich is indicated by the location information pertaining to theidentified login name in the web server management table.

(2) In the structure of (1), the image processing apparatus may furthercomprise: a web browser operable to perform browsing in response to anentry operation by the user; and a judgment unit operable to judge, at atime when the web browser accesses a web server, whether the web serverrequires sign-in. Here, the transmission information includes websign-in information pertaining to sign-in to the web server, and thetransmission unit transmits the transmission information to the webserver accessed by the web browser when judgment of the judgment unit isaffirmative.

According to the structure, the web sign-in information is transmittedto the accessed web server. As a, result, the user is able to try websign-in when accessing to the web server, without obtaining contentsthat are required for the web sign-in.

(3) In the structure of (2), the web sign-in information may include asign-in name for the web server and a password corresponding to thesign-in name.

(4) In the structure of (1), the image processing apparatus may furthercomprise: a web browser operable to perform browsing in response to anentry operation by the user. Here, the transmission information includesweb sign-in information pertaining to sign-in to the web server, and thetransmission unit starts transmitting the transmission information tothe web server in response to a start of the web browser.

According to the structure, web sign-in can be tried, requiring nomanual pre-entry by the user, at the time of a start of a web browserthrough which web sign-in is likely to be performed shortly.

(5) In the structure of (1), the image processing apparatus may furthercomprise: a web browser operable to perform browsing in response to anentry operation by the user. Here, the transmission information includesweb sign-in information pertaining to sign-in to the web server, and thetransmission unit starts, regardless of a start of the web browser,transmitting the transmission information to the web server inaccordance with the identified login name.

According to the structure, web sign-in can be tried, requiring nomanual pre-entry by the user.

(6) In the structure of (1), the image processing apparatus may furthercomprise: a web browser operable to perform browsing in response to anentry operation by the user. Here, the transmission information includesweb sign-out information pertaining to sign-out from the web server. Thetransmission unit (i) transmits, when activation of the web browser isended, the transmission information to the web server, the location ofwhich is indicated by the location information pertaining to a sign-inname at the end of the activation, or (ii) transmits, when the user logsout from the image processing apparatus, the transmission information tothe web server, the location of which is indicated by the locationinformation pertaining to a login name at the logout from the imageprocessing apparatus.

According to the structure, web sign-out is tried by transmitting websign-out information pertaining to the web server at the time of an endof the web browser activation or the user's logout. As a result, thecontinuation of unnecessary logout can be avoided, whereby beefing upsecurity.

(7) In the structure of (1), the login name may be one of anindividual-user login name for an individual user and a division-userlogin name for a division to which at least the individual user belongsas a member of the division. Here, when the identified login name is theindividual-user login name, the transmission unit transmits informationcorresponding to the division-user login name for the division to whichthe individual user belongs.

According to the structure, when login is made with the individual useraccount, it is possible to use not only transmission informationpertaining to the individual user but also transmission informationpertaining to the division to which the individual user belongs. As aresult, the trouble with key operations can be reduced.

(8) In the structure of (7), when the identified login name is theindividual-user login name for the individual user having managerialauthority of the division to which the individual user belongs,transmission of information corresponding to the division-user loginname for the division to which the individual user belongs may beallowed. Here, the image processing apparatus further comprises: atransmission control unit operable to, when the identified login name isthe individual-user login name for the individual user having nomanagerial authority of the division to which the individual userbelongs, prohibit transmission of information corresponding to thedivision-user login name for the division to which the individual userbelongs.

According to the structure, conversion of the transmission informationpertaining to the division user is limited to the user having managerialauthority. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent unauthorized uses oftransmission information by users who are originally not expected to usethe transmission information.

(9) In the structure of (1), the login name may be one of anindividual-user login name for an individual user and a division-userlogin name for a division to which at least the individual user belongsas a member of the division. Here, the image processing apparatusfurther comprises: a display control unit operable to, (i) when theidentified login name is the individual-user login name, cause todisplay (a) a registration content including the location informationand the transmission information corresponding to the individual-userlogin name and (b) the registration content corresponding to thedivision-user login name for the division to which the individual userbelongs, and (ii) when the identified login name is the division-userlogin name, cause to display the registration content corresponding tothe division-user login name.

According to the structure, when login is made with the division useraccount, it is possible to also use transmission information pertainingto the division, whereby reducing the trouble with key operations.

(10) In the structure of (9), the image processing apparatus may furthercomprise: a reception unit operable to receive editing for displayedregistration contents; and a reception control unit operable to (i)allow, when the identified login name is the individual-user login namefor the individual user having managerial authority of the division towhich the individual user belongs, reception of the editing for theregistration content corresponding to the individual-user login name andthe registration content corresponding to the division-user login name,and (ii) allow, when the identified login name is the individual-userlogin name for the individual user having no managerial authority of thedivision to which the individual user belongs, reception of the editingfor the registration content corresponding to the individual-user loginname while prohibiting reception of the editing for the registrationcontent corresponding to the division-user login name.

According to the structure, in the case where an individual-user loginname for an individual user having no managerial authority isidentified, it is possible to receive editing of a registration contentcorresponding to the individual-user login name, whereby ensuring userconvenience. At the same time, it is prohibited to receive editing of aregistration content corresponding to the division-user login name forthe division to which the individual user belongs. As a result, it ispossible to prevent transmission information pertaining to thedivision-user login name from being improperly viewed and/or alteredwithout authorization by users who are originally not expected to dosuch.

(11) In the structure of (10), the reception control unit may prohibit,when the identified login name is the division-user login name,reception of the editing for the displayed registration contents.

(12) In the structure of (1), the image processing apparatus may furthercomprise: a web server unit operable to provide a web page sourceincluding a registration content that has the location information andthe transmission information pertaining to the login name in response toa provision request sent via a web browser of a client terminal andreceive editing of the registration content.

According to the structure, registration contents can be viewed andedited from PCs, PDAs, and other various terminals having a web browser,whereby allowing the user to have flexibility with terminals for use andsites for connection.

(13) Another aspect of the present embodiment contemplates an imageprocessing apparatus comprising: an operation panel having a displayscreen and one or more entry keys; an identification unit operable toidentify a login name of a user of the image processing apparatus; auser management table in which, with respect to each login name, an itemis associated with a value; and a key assigning unit operable to assignitems and values assigned to the items for the identified login name tothe entry keys which function as entry-free keys.

(14) In the structure of (13), the image processing apparatus mayfurther comprise: a web browser operable to perform browsing in responseto a key operation on the entry keys; an entry cursor location detectionunit operable to detect a location of an entry cursor for the entry key;and a key control unit operable to enable the entry-free keys in a casewhen the location of the entry cursor is detected in an entry box on ascreen of the web browser.

According to the structure, the entry-free keys are activated atappropriate moments, whereby contributing to improvement of the userinterface.

(15) In the structure of (13), each of the items may be one of a fullname, a family name, a given name, a mail address and an address of theuser, and a name of a division to which the user belongs.

(16) In the structure of (13), the display screen may be a touch panel.Here, the entry keys include softkeys on the touch panel and hardkeys,and the key assigning unit operable to assign the items to the hardkeys.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexamples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedthat various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilledin the art.

Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart fromthe scope of the present invention, they should be construed as beingincluded therein.

1. An image processing apparatus connectable to a network, comprising:an identification unit operable to identify a login name of a user ofthe image processing apparatus; a web server management table in which,with respect to each login name, location information indicating alocation of a web server is associated with transmission information tobe transmitted to the web server; and a transmission unit operable totransmit the transmission information to the web server, the location ofwhich is indicated by the location information pertaining to theidentified login name in the web server management table.
 2. The imageprocessing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a web browseroperable to perform browsing in response to an entry operation by theuser; and a judgment unit operable to judge, at a time when the webbrowser accesses a web server, whether the web server requires sign-in,wherein the transmission information includes web sign-in informationpertaining to sign-in to the web server, and the transmission unittransmits the transmission information to the web server accessed by theweb browser when judgment of the judgment unit is affirmative.
 3. Theimage processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the web sign-ininformation includes a sign-in name for the web server and a passwordcorresponding to the sign-in name.
 4. The image processing apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a web browser operable to perform browsingin response to an entry operation by the user, wherein the transmissioninformation includes web sign-in information pertaining to sign-in tothe web server, and the transmission unit starts transmitting thetransmission information to the web server in response to a start of theweb browser.
 5. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a web browser operable to perform browsing in response to anentry operation by the user, wherein the transmission informationincludes web sign-in information pertaining to sign-in to the webserver, and the transmission unit starts, regardless of a start of theweb browser, transmitting the transmission information to the web serverin accordance with the identified login name.
 6. The image processingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a web browser operable toperform browsing in response to an entry operation by the user, whereinthe transmission information includes web sign-out informationpertaining to sign-out from the web server, and the transmission unit(i) transmits, when activation of the web browser is ended, thetransmission information to the web server, the location of which isindicated by the location information pertaining to a sign-in name atthe end of the activation, or (ii) transmits, when the user logs outfrom the image processing apparatus, the transmission information to theweb server, the location of which is indicated by the locationinformation pertaining to a login name at the logout from the imageprocessing apparatus.
 7. The image processing apparatus of claim 1,wherein the login name is one of an individual-user login name for anindividual user and a division-user login name for a division to whichat least the individual user belongs as a member of the division, andwhen the identified login name is the individual-user login name, thetransmission unit transmits information corresponding to thedivision-user login name for the division to which the individual userbelongs.
 8. The image processing apparatus of claim 7, wherein when theidentified login name is the individual-user login name for theindividual user having managerial authority of the division to which theindividual user belongs, transmission of information corresponding tothe division-user login name for the division to which the individualuser belongs is allowed, and the image processing apparatus furthercomprising: a transmission control unit operable to, when the identifiedlogin name is the individual-user login name for the individual userhaving no managerial authority of the division to which the individualuser belongs, prohibit transmission of information corresponding to thedivision-user login name for the division to which the individual userbelongs.
 9. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the loginname is one of an individual-user login name for an individual user anda division-user login name for a division to which at least theindividual user belongs as a member of the division, and the imageprocessing apparatus further comprising: a display control unit operableto, (i) when the identified login name is the individual-user loginname, cause to display (a) a registration content including the locationinformation and the transmission information corresponding to theindividual-user login name and (b) the registration contentcorresponding to the division-user login name for the division to whichthe individual user belongs, and (ii) when the identified login name isthe division-user login name, cause to display the registration contentcorresponding to the division-user login name.
 10. The image processingapparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a reception unit operable toreceive editing for displayed registration contents; and a receptioncontrol unit operable to (i) allow, when the identified login name isthe individual-user login name for the individual user having managerialauthority of the division to which the individual user belongs,reception of the editing for the registration content corresponding tothe individual-user login name and the registration contentcorresponding to the division-user login name, and (ii) allow, when theidentified login name is the individual-user login name for theindividual user having no managerial authority of the division to whichthe individual user belongs, reception of the editing for theregistration content corresponding to the individual-user login namewhile prohibiting reception of the editing for the registration contentcorresponding to the division-user login name.
 11. The image processingapparatus of claim 10, wherein the reception control unit prohibits,when the identified login name is the division-user login name,reception of the editing for the displayed registration contents. 12.The image processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a webserver unit operable to provide a web page source including aregistration content that has the location information and thetransmission information pertaining to the login name in response to aprovision request sent via a web browser of a client terminal andreceive editing of the registration content.
 13. An informationtransmission method for transmitting information from an imageprocessing apparatus to a web server, comprising the steps of:identifying a login name of a user of the image processing apparatus;referring to a web server management table in which, with respect toeach login name, location information indicating a location of a webserver is associated with transmission information to be transmitted tothe web server; and transmitting the transmission information to the webserver, the location of which is indicated by the location informationpertaining to the identified login name in the web server managementtable.
 14. An image processing system in which a client terminal havinga 1^(st) web browser is connected to an image processing apparatus via anetwork, wherein the image processing apparatus includes: a web serverunit operable to identify a login name of the client terminal which hasrequested to access the image processing apparatus in response to aremote access via the 1^(st) web browser, receive a registration contentin which a location information indicating a location of a web server isassociated with web sign-in information to be transmitted at a time whensign-in to the web server is performed, and manage a web servermanagement table in which the received registration content isassociated with the identified login name; an identification unitoperable to identify a login name of a user locally using the imageprocessing apparatus; an operation panel having a display screen and anentry key; a 2^(nd) web browser operable to perform browsing in responseto operation on the entry key; and a transmission unit operable totransmit the associated web sign-in information to the web serverindicated by the location information pertaining to the login nameidentified by the web server unit in the web server management table.15. An image processing apparatus comprising: an operation panel havinga display screen and one or more entry keys; an identification unitoperable to identify a login name of a user of the image processingapparatus; a user management table in which, with respect to each loginname, an item is associated with a value; and a key assigning unitoperable to assign items and values assigned to the items for theidentified login name to the entry keys which function as entry-freekeys.
 16. The image processing apparatus of claim 15, furthercomprising: a web browser operable to perform browsing in response to akey operation on the entry keys; an entry cursor location detection unitoperable to detect a location of an entry cursor for the entry key; anda key control unit operable to enable the entry-free keys in a case whenthe location of the entry cursor is detected in an entry box on a screenof the web browser.
 17. The image processing apparatus of claim 15,wherein each of the items is one of a full name, a family name, a givenname, a mail address and an address of the user, and a name of adivision to which the user belongs.
 18. The image processing apparatusof claim 15, wherein the display screen is a touch panel, the entry keysinclude softkeys on the touch panel and hardkeys, and the key assigningunit operable to assign the items to the hardkeys.